Following the retirement of Marty Vollmuth, Grey Simpson is set to take over Hill Football for the 2011 season. Coach Simpson, is entering his eighth year at The Hill and has coached in the football program throughout his tenure at the school. He is coming off a highly successful two-year stint as the head JV coach in which his squad posted a 13-0-1 record.
The biggest challenge facing the 2011 squad is inexperience, as only three starters are back from last year’s MAPL runner-up squad. Hill boasts a very talented fifth form class whose players have not lost a JV game during their first two years at Hill and are anxious to prove themselves at the varsity level this season.
All-MAPL receiver and starting free safety Adam Regensburg ’13, one of the team’s captains, is expected to be a major force on both sides of the ball this season. Adam, a two-year starter in the defensive secondary, will be the leader of the defense from his free safety position and will serve as Hill’s top offensive threat in both the pass and run game. Co-captain Nate Mueller ‘12 will be counted on for major contributions as both a running back and linebacker. Fred Santarelli ‘12, a 6’6” 298 pound offensive and defensive tackle, had a very productive summer and is ready to be a major force anchoring the offensive and defensive fronts from his tackle positions. Also returning on the offensive and defensive line is Seth Reinhart ‘12. Seth is a versatile lineman who may see time at three different offensive line positions. Finally, the very athletic, 6’4” 185 pound Grant Smith ’14 will likely be the starting quarterback.
Other returning players to watch this season include receiver Seth Regensburg ‘13, center Austin Black ‘13, defensive back Zach Garland ‘13, receiver and defensive end Sean Dougherty ‘13, linemen Tommy Nelson ‘13, Dom Lucchesi ‘13, and Chris Argenti ‘13, and running back and linebacker Adam Harris ‘13.
Hill will rely on major contributions from a strong group of post-graduate players. The PG group includes the explosive running back and defensive back Kwame Larbi, who will shoulder a majority of the backfield carries; Jack Mellgard, who plays linebacker and fullback; receiver and defensive back Eric Foote; and Michael Lippe, a linebacker and tight end, who a had a stand-out career at Bishop Hendricken in Rhode Island and helped guide the Hawks to an undefeated season and state championship in 2010.
Following two scrimmages, the regular season kicks off with a September 17 trip to Germantown Academy. Following two more Inter-Ac games against Episcopal Academy and Chestnut Hill Academy, Hill finishes out the season with five of its final six games against MAPL competition.